Ruling on passenger flights expected as soon as Monday

EVERETT — A decision on whether passenger airline service will be allowed at Paine Field is expected as soon as Monday.

Snohomish County council members received a letter today from Peter Camp, who oversees the airport for the executive’s office, saying that the Federal Aviation Administration is releasing its decision.

In September, the FAA released an environmental review that found that adding 23 commercial flights per day at the airport by 2018 would not significantly increase noise, traffic or air pollution.

Two airlines asked for permission in 2008 to fly from the Snohomish County-owned airport — Horizon, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines of Seattle, and Allegiant Air.

Horizon said in September that it was no longer interested in using the airport.

The company’s officials said the economic recession and improvements made at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were the major factors in the decision.

Allegiant proposed to start running four flights per week from Paine Field and increase to 20 over five years.

Allegiant said in September it continues to be interested in flying commercial flights out of the airport.